MONROVIA – Proceedings in the high-profile US$6.2 million corruption case at Criminal Court “C” intensified on Monday, April 13, 2026, with prosecutors seeking to establish a chain of responsibility among former senior government officials, while defense lawyers pushed back, citing weak evidence and inconsistencies in the investigation.
At the center of the case is former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr., alongside several former officials including ex-National Security Advisor Jefferson S. Karmoh, former Acting Justice Minister Nyanti Tuan, former Financial Intelligence Agency Director Stanley S. Ford, and FIA Comptroller Moses Cooper. They face multiple charges ranging from economic sabotage and theft of public funds to money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
During court testimony, a key investigator from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Baba Mohammed Boika, told the court that Karmoh allegedly played a central role in initiating actions that led to the controversial handling of the funds.
Boika claimed that Karmoh acted beyond his authority by engaging the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in security-related operations without clearance from the National Security Council. He referenced a July 5, 2022 communication that reportedly brought the FIA into the operation, though he indicated that the rationale behind the decision remained unclear.
The court also heard that Nyanti Tuan later communicated with the FIA in September 2023, indicating that funds had been secured for national security operations. Investigators allege this step was taken under Karmoh’s direction, but maintain that the original source of the funds has not been clearly identified.
According to the prosecution, the disputed US$6.2 million was traced to the FIA and subsequently withdrawn in cash under circumstances that remain unexplained. Boika testified that while investigators were able to track the funds up to the point of withdrawal, their trail effectively ended there.
“We traced the money until it was withdrawn, but there is no clear record of how it was ultimately used,” Boika told the court, underscoring what prosecutors describe as a critical gap in accountability.
He further pointed to inconsistencies in statements provided by FIA Comptroller Moses Cooper, who, according to investigators, gave conflicting explanations regarding the disposition of the funds after withdrawal.
Despite acknowledging these gaps, the prosecution maintains that the officials involved must account for the missing money, arguing that they were in positions of authority and oversight during the transactions.
However, the defense mounted a vigorous rebuttal, with Cllr. Johnson challenging both the credibility of the witness and the strength of the evidence presented. He pressed the investigator to provide tangible proof linking the accused to personal gain, including bank records, asset acquisitions, or other financial indicators.
In a response that drew attention in the courtroom, Boika stated that investigators are not legally required to obtain evidence such as bank accounts, properties, or informal financial activities before bringing corruption charges.
The defense sharply rejected this position, arguing that criminal allegations of this magnitude require concrete and verifiable proof. “We are dealing with serious criminal charges. The law demands proof beyond reasonable doubt, not assumptions,” Cllr. Johnson argued.
Further tension arose over apparent inconsistencies in the investigator’s statements. The defense noted that Boika had previously suggested that investigators were not focused on operational details of the funds, yet in court emphasized the importance of tracking financial flows, an inconsistency the defense says undermines the prosecution’s case.
The issue of burden of proof also became a focal point, with the defense accusing investigators of attempting to shift responsibility onto the accused to explain the missing funds, rather than establishing guilt through evidence.
